Just when you think you’ve seen it all, something surprises you. Last night, on Alaska flight #461 coming back to Seattle from Los Angeles, the flight attendants announced that there would be a special celebration on board. Immediately, I was thinking someone was going to propose or something. But it was one level better.

A couple got married while the plane was cruising at 35,000 feet somewhere over Washington State. Apparently, the bride’s mother had terminal cancer and wanted to see her daughter’s (a flight attendant) workplace, her home in Washington, and her marriage. All three wishes were fulfilled last night.

After drinks and food were stowed away, the flight crew quickly decorated the cabin with rose petals and drapes. The bride and groom marched up toward the cockpit serenaded by the 737’s speaker system. A pastor friend then performed the brief ceremony in the front of the cabin. Not the most touching ceremony I’ve seen but it was different.

I’ve been on hundreds of flights but have never seen an in-flight wedding before. A pleasant first.